Apparatus for increasing head.



, W. M.' WHITE.

^ APPARATUS FR INCREASING H ADR APPLICATIDN FILEDYJhUNE I9. |913. 1,273,704. Patented July 23, 1918,.v

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

fmmm-s-gmm W. NI. WHITE.

APPARATUS FOR INCREASING HEAD.

1,273,704. E 9' 3"3', Patented July' 23, 19m

- 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

www MH fm ,l @IW .r I n r t Il l W. M. WHITE.

APPARATUS FOR iNcHEAslNG HEAD.

APPLICATION HLED IUNE 19| |913. 1,273,704. Patented July 23,1918,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WILLIAM M. WHITE, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

APPARATUS ros INCREASING HEAD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1 918.

Application led June 19, 1913. Serial No. 774,527.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ll'nmmn M. Wnrric, acltizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the lcounty otMilwaukee and i State of lvisconsim have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus' for Increasing Head, of which tlie-followingis a specification.

This invention relates to head increasers for installation in waterpower plants. The object of the device is to increase the head on thewater wheel.

The construction herein shown is-a .modiication of the structure shownin my copending applications Serial Nos. 769,790 and 769,791, filed May26, 1913. These applications show and claim structures ot' various'forms by means of which the velocityoof water discharged from the waterwheel may be changed into pressure head with the greatest efficiency.

Likewise in my co-pending application Serial No. 774,528, filed June 19,1$)13,.1 have disclosed and claimed a method ot operating water powerplants, which method may be carriedout by the use of apparatus such asdescribed in this and the lbefore mentioned applications. y

The head increaser is for the purpose of regaining pressure energy fromtheiwlocity energy of the water discharged with excess whirling motionfrom the runner of a water wheel to increase the head acting on thewheel. The increased head acting on the `wheel is usefulin producing agreater power' vand greater speed. The device consists of a multiplicityof outwardly extending passages of increasing capacity in the direction.

of flow, the smaller ends of said passages being disposed around theperiphery of the discharge end of the runner forming an outwardlyextending annular outlet for the water discharged from the runner-,saidoutwardly extending passages disposed at an angle to the line of motionof the runner, which angle is substantially less than a right angle. Thepassages are disposed at an angle to the line of motion of the runner toi discharge the water tangentially therefrom with a radial component.

Before proceeding to the drawings and a detailed description theretoreference will first be made to the action of the regain of pressurefrom velocity7 uponI which the revsults to be accomplished by the devicelargely depend, The regain of pressure from ,velocity is in generalaccordance with Beruouillis law, which is stated in Treatise on.Iliad/realite by Merriman, edition 1908, page 76, as follows i At anysection ot.' a tube or pipe under steady How without friction thepressure head plus the velocity head is-cqual to the hydro-static headthat obtains when there is no ow. v

A description and results of some experiments relating to the regain ofpressure from velocity of water in motion in regaining conduits otincreasing' capacity in the direction of flow are given ou pages 186,187 and 188 of the above reference, 'in which at the top of page 188,there is a statement to the etlect that the iow through the regaining`section was that dile to a head of'over live times the actual head.Cor-putations from the results of the test described show that thedevice converted velocity energy into pressure energy with an elliciencyof 84%. similar devices give results comparable to this.V

The present invention contemplates the use of a plurality of theseregain-ing sections for receiving the water whirling from the' waterwheel running at. high speed.

The dili'ercnce of pressure between the smaller ends and the dischargeends of the said passages.\\'ill depend upon the amount of Velocityenergy discharged into the smaller ends of said passages from therunner. l/Vhen the runner is operating at cxcess speed the water isdischarged therefrom with whirling motion into the smaller ends of saidpassages. passages of the ruimer and its speed, any desired proportimiot' the energy duc to the fall may be discharged into the smaller endsBy so relating the water ot' said passages of increasing capacity in thedirection of flow. By regulating the amount of the energy dischargedfrom the runner the difference between the pressure at the smallercnds'and the discharge ends of said passages may be made a portion of orequal to or greater than the fall under which the power plant isoperating.

The action on the head incrcaser may be more readily described by theuse of an cxample. Let us assume that the water Wheel be operating atsuch excess speedin connection with the regaining passages referred to,as to cause 150% of the energy, which that quantity of Water which wouldflow under an unmodified head equal to the tall wond have to bedelivered to the sinailer ends oi'; the said passages. and let us assumethat the area of the discharge ends of the said passages is such thatthe velocity therethrough contains only 3% or the energy due to the fallthus leaving 147% of energy which that quantity of water which. wouldiiow under an unniodiiied head due to the fall would have to beconverted freni the velocity into pressure within said passages.

@n the basis oi an eiiiciency of conversion of 80% for the said passagesthe pressure at the smaller ends of said passages wili he .8

f HTC/ or 117.5% of the pressure diie to the fail less than the prestareat the charge ends of the pas. ges, 'out the discharge ends of saidpassa? f* connnunieate with the tailrace to the sus which the fall ismeasured so phat th acting on the water wneel to anse :low through it is2.175 times the fail.

When the ediciency ci' conversion is 80% the energy lost is,consequently, 20% ot the energy entering `ie sins ler ends of saidpassages minus theenergy ischarged from said passages or tnnj l( or orthe energy due to the fail is wasted maintaining head on the water wheelof 2.175- tnnes the i.

The increased head the water wheel and the operation o the wheel atexcess speed fro-ni what it would have vbeen norxnaily for thatincreasmi n in maintaining a. eater conditions of power and fall toforeheen obtained.

this specification terni tall taken to mean the difieren/ce inelevationbetween the surface o1 the water above the dani and the surfaceof the water oelow the dam of the power plant under discussion.

t may he found desirable in seine ns stances to make the inner ends ofthe guide vanes adjustable so as to adj ust them to the angle of flowfrom the runner.

' When there is whirl in the water from the runner, that'portion at theouter edge is moving at higher velocity and greater kinetic energy thanthat near the center and may prefer to divide the head increaser intopassages to accommodate different 'velocities and avoid combining thesedifferent velocities which would resuit in loss of energy by shock. inthis manner l will ohtain still greater ediciency in the head increaser.This is indicatci in My invention will'he incre readily understood byreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure l' is a transverse section through a power house;

Fig. 2 is a transvene, vertical section of my novel head increases.

Fig= fis a plan view with portions broken away to showthe constructionof the guide vanese the runner vanes and the vanes at the top of thehead increaser; Fig. 4; is an lenlarged fragmentary 'view showing ainodiication of the preceding constructions, and, y

Fig. 5 is a plan section showing a modified forni of vanes. Referringmore particularly to the drawings it will he seen that in F ig. l, Ihave shown a water wheel 10, guide vanes 11, .f controiling the entranceof water to the'- wheel. iPower is taken from the wheel by means ofshaft l2, connected to a generator 1.3. The water is supplied to thewheel 4"n.ough a conduit i dicated at l5. Located beneath the Waterwheel within the space 1G, is my novel conicai head increaser l?,supported by suitable piers. i'ffhe cone is located in such manner hat aspace 18, is provided there-above, which space is of progressivelyincreasing height frornthe center to the outer edge of the cone. Whilethis is a desirablefeatur itis not essential inasmuch as the space.might be of constant height throughout the diameter of the cone. Uponthe upper surface of thecone and extending from the plt iioor to the topof the cone are vanes 19, each' thereof being reversely curved andextend-l ing from Vthe periphery of the water wheel runner to the outeredge of the cone. The

vanes may he as shown, narrow at their inner ends and wider at theirouter ends or they may he of' uniform thickness. I propose to utilizethe otherwise wasted energy in the water discharged from the runner bytr pressure, whereby a much higher head is secured. This higher head inturn causes the operation or" the water wheel at u. much f higher speed.

In Fig. d the modification shown is in the provision of an additionalspace Within which the water may expand. The water wheel 20, is providedbetween the vanos with webs 2l, whereby water is divided and directedinto two, concentric spaces 22, 23,

i4, the head water loeing nsforiningj the velocity of the water into lioformed bythe cone 2d and intervening wall- 25, and a top wall 26, whichwall is formed iroin the pit floor. In this construction deecting vanes27, corresponding tothe vanes 19, in Fig. 8, niay or may not be includedasI desirable in some instances.

Cil

It will be understood that the construction Aherein shown is capable ofother modications, and such modifications as are within the scope .of my,claims I consider within thel spirit of my invention.

By water wheel under the present specification and claims, I mean awater wheel, hydraulic turbine or any hydraulic power producingapparatus having a runner of such torni as to cause the water to bedischarged trom it preferably axially to the rotation ot' the runner,eially any hydraulic power apparatus which may be used with my inventionfor the aceomplishment otl the results claimed. One type ot' a waterwheel in the meaning of the speeitication and claims is illustrated inthe drawings.

1 claim:

l. ln water power apparatus, the combination ot a water wheel providedwith a water discharge passage, a wall disposed in said passage, saidwall forming' a plurality ot passages ot increasing volume from vtheruimer outward, said passages being arranged at an angle to the line ot'motion of the runner in a` plane at right angles tothe axis of rotationVof the .V runner which,A Vangle is materially less thanl a right angle,substantially as described. i

:2. In a water power apparatus, the combination of. a water wheelprovided with a discharge passage tlierebeneath, lsaid passage having acomponent radial to the axis of the turbine, and angular delectorslocated in' said iassaefe and ada )ted to interce t and 2* direct thedischarged water in a direction" which "has a component tangential'tothe runner, substantially as described. 40

1n a water power apparatus,l the combination of a waterl wheel and adischarge passage therebeneath, said passage being disposed with acomponent radial to the axis ot rotation of the runner, and detlectorsdividing said passage into a plurality of passages, the passages soformed being curved with relation to a radial line from the axis of saidwater wheel and adapted to receive water discharged from the water wheelwith tangential force and permit the expansion of said water along linesof least resistance.

Jr. ln water power apparatus, the combination ot a water wheel, asubstantially conical wall disposed in a space at the discharge. end ofsaid water wheel, and dellertors on said wallj. said detiectors formingtangential passages from .the water wheel outward whereby water may bedischarged trom the water wheel into said passages with slight change indirection, substantially as described.

In water powei' apparatus, the conibinatioii of a water wheel. asubstantially conical wall disposed in a space at the discharge end ofsaid water wheel, and deand l mean espe-- ferent sections of thetlectors on said wall, said detiectors forniiiig tangential passa-gesfrom the water wheel outward whereby water may be discharged from thewater wheel when operated at excessispeed into said passages with slightchange in direction, substantially as described.

G. In water power apparatus, a water wheel, and walls located attliedischarge of the water wheel and providing multiple passages locatedsubstantially tangentially about the periphery of the water wheelwhereby water discharged tangentially from the vwater wheel may enterthe passages without material change in direction, said passagesincreasing in capacity from the water wheel outward to the end that thevelocity of the water is changed into` pressure, substantially asdescribed.

In water power apparatus, a water wheel, and walls located at thedischarge of the water wheel and providing a plurality oi curvedpassages located substantially tangentially about the periphery of thewater wheel whereby water discharged tangentiallyfrom the water wheelmay enter the passages without material change iii .direction, saidpassages increasing in capacity from the water wheel outward t0 the endthat the velocity of the water is changed into pressure, substantiallyas described.

8. In combination with a water wheel runner having a concentric webdividing the vanes thereof into separate wheel sections, of conicalsurfaces forming passages therebetween, said passages registering withthe sections of the runner, and detiectors located in said-passages,.said detiecto'rs having their ends next to the ruimer setltangentially to the runner periphery, whereby water thrown taiigentiallyfrom the water wheel runner is received without material change, indirection, and ditferent velocities from the difrunner may betransformed into pressure in .separate Apassages with greatesteffectiveness, substantially -as .described` f t). In combination with awater wheel runner, adjustable vanes locatedl at the discharge of saidrunner, and means for adjusting said vanes to conform to the line ofmotion of water discharged from the ruimer, said vanes forming andconnecting liti with expanding passages, whereby water follow thedirection of its neturel tendency, which is outward from the center ofrotation, said annuler passage. haring vanos therein disposed at :inangleto the line ot' motion of the runner of the wheel, which angle ismaterially less than n right angle.

1l. rihe method ot increasing the eiicotiye heed of water forutilization in water wheels, consisting in discharging the Water fromthe Water wheel runner with a large tangential component into passagesof increasingr aren, said passages being set at en angle Ito the line ofmotion ot the runner and thereby changing the kinetic energy in thewater -which leaves the runner .into potentiel. energy at the end of thepassa to increase q the effective head on the aya-ter wheel, suhciency,

stantislly es described.

.12. The method tive head or' water on a 'weter 'wl sisting in operatingthe Wheel at such a speed that there is delivered to the Wheel shaft aportion only of the energy of the Water which would be delivered hyrunning the Wheel et a diiferent speed, and 'utilizing the remainingenergy iii-expanding' passages located at en angle to the line motion ofthe runner in producing o. greater effective head on the wheel,suhstantialiy as described.

13. The method of operating :i Water Wheel, consisting in running thewheel et a speed in excess or that at which the WheelL should oe runtcgive its inaxiinuin ei'licieney at the head of .Water acting thereonand de livering tothe shaft oit seid Wheel only e lportion of the energyof?, the Writer 'which wouldI he delivered thereto hy running the Wheelat the speed or" said maximum en and utilizing the remaining energy inthe Water passing through the Wheel in expanding passages disposed :itan angle to the rotation of the runner, to produce in part the eeetivehead of Water acting on the Wheel, substantially as described.

14. The.; method of operating e Water Wheel. consisting in running saidWheel at increasing; Ytl etico-- icei, conhermes e speed in excess ofthat et which the Wheel should he run to give its maximum eiiciency atthe heed of Water acting thereon, and due to such an excess in speeddelivering to the shaft of said wheel only a portion of 'the energy ofthe water which would be delivered thereto by running the Wheel at thespeed oi?A said maximum eiiiciency, and utilizing the remaining energyof the Water at# ter passing through the Wheel in a multiplie# ity etconcentric passages having a radial component to the axis oi' therunner, to produce in part the eifeetive head of Water aeting on thewheel, substantially as described. i5, @The method o operating a WaterWheel, consisting in running said Wheel at speed in excess of that atwhich the Wheel should run to give its maximum efficiency et the head etWater acting thereon, and due to such excess in speed delivering to saidwriter Wheel only a portion of the energy of dhe Water which would bedelivered thereto by running the wheel at the speed of said inexiinuniehciency, and converting the remaining kinetic energy in the Water afterpassing through the Wheel into potential energy in expanding passagesrhaving a component tangential to the periphery of the runner to producein part the effective head et Water ecting on the Wheel, substantiallyas described.

16. The method of: operating a Water Wheel which consists et runningsaid Wheel excessive speed and delivering'to the water `e'heel shet onlya portion ot the energy o the W'eter which might be delivered hy.running at e lower or normal speed, ther. utilizing the remainingenergy in the Water angle to the line of motion of the runner inproducing e greater effective head on the water Wheehsuhstentially asdescribed.

WLLIAM M. WHITE.

lfiitnesses:l

CHAS. F. MURRAY, T. D. Binnen.

expanding pessaigesset at an

